Green card through family

This page is for people who want to immigrate through a relative who is a U.S. citizen or green card holder, and for families in the United States who want to bring them. It explains who can bring whom, the steps from the Form I-130 petition to the interview in Ankara, financial sponsorship (Form I-864), fees, and documents to obtain from Turkey. For how waiting times are calculated, see 3.3 How to read the Visa Bulletin.

• Of a U.S. citizen:
  • spouse
  • unmarried child under 21
  • parents (if the citizen is at least 21)
• There is no annual quota in this category; a visa is always available. There is no need to wait for a Visa Bulletin date.
• The widow or widower of a deceased U.S. citizen may also qualify as an immediate relative: if the citizen filed a petition before death, or if the surviving spouse files a petition within 2 years after the death.
• Important difference: The immediate relative’s spouse and children cannot be added to their case as “derivatives.” A separate petition is required for each person.

• F1: Unmarried children of U.S. citizens who are 21 or older
• F2A: Spouses and unmarried children under 21 of green card holders
• F2B: Unmarried children of green card holders who are 21 or older
• F3: Married children of U.S. citizens
• F4: Siblings of U.S. citizens (if the citizen is at least 21)
• In these categories, the principal applicant’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 may apply as “derivatives” through the same case.
• Green card holders may file petitions only for their spouses and unmarried children. They cannot bring their parents, siblings, or married children; this right belongs only to citizens.

1. Petition: Your relative in the United States (the petitioner) files Form I-130 with USCIS. It may be filed online or by mail.
2. If the petition is for a spouse, Form I-130A (supplemental information about the spouse) is also filed with the I-130.
3. Part 4 of the form (question 61 or 62) asks whether your relative will adjust status inside the United States or undergo consular processing abroad. Select only one; do not select both or leave it blank.
4. USCIS sends a receipt notice (Form I-797). The date the petition was properly filed with USCIS is your priority date.
5. Approval: Once USCIS approves the petition, it sends the case to the National Visa Center (NVC). Filing or approval of the petition alone does not grant you status.
6. NVC stage: For immediate relatives, the NVC contacts you promptly. In preference categories, the NVC contacts you when your priority date approaches the date in the Visa Bulletin.
7. The NVC requests the following through the online CEAC system:
   • immigrant visa application fee ($325 per person)
   • immigrant visa application form DS-260
   • financial sponsorship form I-864 and the sponsor’s financial documents
   • scanned copies of documents such as civil, marriage, and police records
8. Interview: Once the documents are complete, the NVC schedules an appointment. If you live in Turkey, the interview takes place at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara. Before the interview, you must undergo a medical examination with a physician authorized by the Embassy. See 3.9 Immigrant visa interview (Ankara).
9. Visa and entry: Once the visa is issued, pay the USCIS immigrant fee ($235) and enter the United States. The card will arrive by mail.

• A person who entered the United States lawfully (inspected and admitted or paroled) and meets the requirements may apply using Form I-485 without leaving the country.
• Immediate relatives may file the I-485 together with the I-130 (concurrent filing), while the I-130 is pending, or after approval.
• In preference categories, the I-485 may be filed only when a visa is available; the applicant must also document that they have continuously maintained lawful status.
• A person who leaves the country while the I-485 is pending without obtaining travel authorization (advance parole) will generally be considered to have abandoned the application.
• For fees, work authorization, and travel authorization, see 3.8 Application route.

• Petitioner’s status (one is sufficient):
  • copy of a U.S. birth certificate, certificate of citizenship (naturalization certificate), or valid U.S. passport
  • if you are a green card holder, a copy of the front and back of the card
• Proof of relationship:
  • spouse: marriage certificate and, if applicable, documents showing the termination of prior marriages
  • child: the child’s birth certificate
  • parent: the petitioner’s own birth certificate
  • sibling: the birth certificates of the petitioner and sibling
• Documents showing that a marriage is genuine: joint property, a joint lease, combined financial resources, birth certificates of joint children, and sworn statements from people who know about the marriage.
• If applicable, a legal name-change document and, if required, two passport-style photographs.
• Every document in a foreign language must include a full English translation and the translator’s certification of competence.
• As a rule, do not send original documents; send copies.
• Do not send: items containing electronic chips or batteries, CDs, DVDs, USB drives, DNA samples, or intimate photographs.
• A separate I-130 is filed for each relative. If you are a U.S. citizen petitioning for your spouse, you must also file separate I-130s for each joint child and stepchild.

• Civil records: Civil Registry Record. When necessary, an annotated civil registry record showing all events, such as marriage, divorce, and birth. For a multilingual birth record, use Formül A.
  • Obtained from e-Devlet, a civil registry office, or Turkish consulates abroad.
  • An e-Devlet printout is verified by its QR code and is generally valid for 1 month. A document issued by the civil registry office is generally valid for up to 6 months.
• Marriage: International Family Booklet or Formül B (Marriage Registration Record).
  • Only an official civil marriage is valid in Turkey. A religious marriage performed before the official marriage is not considered a legal marriage.
• Divorce: the family court’s divorce decision. A certified copy may be obtained from the court or through the UYAP Citizen Portal on e-Devlet.
• Police record: police record with archive information. Obtain it from e-Devlet, courthouse police-record offices, or a consulate. When applying, be sure to request the “with archive information” option.
• Military service: Military Status Certificate for men who have completed or deferred military service (e-Devlet or the military service office).

• For most family-based immigrants, the petitioner signs Form I-864 (Affidavit of Support), undertaking to financially support the immigrant.
• Sponsor requirements: at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or green card holder, and domiciled in the United States.
• Income requirement (2026): household income must be at least 125% of the poverty guideline. Amounts effective March 1, 2026 (48 states, DC, and Puerto Rico):
  • 2-person household: $27,050
  • 3-person household: $34,150
  • 4-person household: $41,250
  • 5-person household: $48,350
  • each additional person: +$7,100
  • Amounts are higher in Alaska and Hawaii. The limit is 100% for active-duty service members sponsoring a spouse or child.
• Household size includes the sponsor, spouse, children living at home, tax dependents, the immigrant, and family members immigrating with the immigrant within 6 months.
• If income is insufficient:
  • a joint sponsor may be used; the joint sponsor must meet the same requirements and submit their own I-864.
  • Income of a household member living in the same home may be added using Form I-864A.
  • Assets may be used: net assets must equal 5 times the difference between income and the 125% threshold; 3 times is sufficient for a U.S. citizen’s spouse and children.
  • The petitioner must submit their own I-864 in every case. A job offer does not replace the I-864.
• Enforceability: The I-864 is a binding contract with the U.S. government. If the immigrant receives means-tested public benefits such as SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or TANF, the relevant agency may seek reimbursement from the sponsor and may sue.
• New form edition: Since October 1, 2026, only the I-864 edition dated 08/24/2026 is accepted. This edition includes consent allowing USCIS to obtain information from credit bureaus. A credit freeze may cause delays.
• Fee: The USCIS fee for the form is $0. When reviewed by the NVC, the Department of State charges a $120 review fee.
• The consulate may ask some applicants to apply with USCIS for a public charge bond. The pilot program is continuing; the consulate determines the amount. See 16.5 Public charge.

• Form I-130: $675 (paper) or $625 (online). G-1055 fee schedule, 10/07/2026 edition.
• Immigrant visa application fee (Department of State): $325 per person.
• I-864 review fee (NVC): $120.
• USCIS immigrant fee: $235 (after receiving the visa, for the card).
• Medical examination: For the Ankara examination fee, see 3.9 Immigrant visa interview (Ankara).
• Payment method: As a rule, USCIS does not accept checks or money orders for paper filings. Use Form G-1450 for card payments and Form G-1650 for payment from a U.S. bank account.
• Time: For immediate relatives, the time depends on USCIS and NVC processing times. In preference categories, the wait may take years according to the Visa Bulletin. Current USCIS times are available through the processing-times tool.

• USCIS online filing — the I-130 may be filed online
  • Web: my.uscis.gov
• USCIS Phoenix Lockbox — I-130 filers only; for example, residents of California, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, Michigan, and North Carolina
  • Mail (USPS): USCIS, Attn: I-130, P.O. Box 21700, Phoenix, AZ 85036-1700
  • Courier (FedEx, UPS, DHL): USCIS, Attn: I-130 (Box 21700), 2108 E. Elliot Rd., Tempe, AZ 85284-1806
• USCIS Chicago Lockbox — I-130 filers only; for example, residents of New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, Ohio, Washington DC, and people living outside the United States
  • Mail (USPS): USCIS, Attn: I-130, P.O. Box 804625, Chicago, IL 60680
  • Courier: USCIS, Attn: I-130 (Box 804625), 131 S. Dearborn St., 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60603-5517
• If the I-130 and I-485 are filed together, the address is different. See USCIS’s I-130 address page for the complete list for your state.
• A U.S. citizen living abroad may, in limited circumstances, file a petition for an immediate relative at a U.S. embassy.
• USCIS Contact Center: +1 800 375 5283 (TTY +1 800 767 1833), from outside the United States +1 212 620 3418.
• National Visa Center (NVC) — visa stage of an approved petition
  • Inquiry form: Public Inquiry Form (immigrant visa questions only)
  • Processing times: nvc.state.gov/timeframes. Do not submit another inquiry while within these times.
• U.S. Embassy Ankara — all immigrant visa interviews in Turkey
  • Address: Çukurambar Mahallesi, 1480 Sokak No: 1, 06530 Çankaya / Ankara
  • Telephone: +90 312 294 00 00
  • Immigrant visa questions: Embassy inquiry form

• Selecting both options in Part 4 of the I-130 (questions 61/62), or leaving it blank.
• Failing to include Form I-130A with an I-130 filed for a spouse.
• Failing to sign the form; USCIS rejects unsigned forms.
• Using an old edition of the I-864.
• Paying by check for a paper filing.
• Failing to respond to NVC notices within 1 year; risk that the petition will be terminated.
• Failing to obtain a police record with archive information.
• Being married only through a religious ceremony and being unable to provide an official marriage certificate.
• A green card holder attempting to file a petition for a parent or sibling.
• Mistaking I-130 approval for status; approval alone does not grant the right to remain or work in the United States.

• I am a green card holder; will my spouse’s case speed up if I become a citizen? Once you become a citizen, your spouse and unmarried children under 21 qualify as immediate relatives; a visa becomes immediately available. If the petition is pending with USCIS, notify USCIS; if it has been approved and transferred to the NVC, notify the NVC through its inquiry form with the subject “I-130 Update” and provide your citizenship certificate.
• Do my assets in Turkey count? An immigrant’s assets abroad may count if they can be converted to cash within 12 months and transferred out of the country. The immigrant completes Form I-864A for this purpose.
• What happens if my child turns 21 while waiting? The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) changes the age calculation in some cases. See 3.3 How to read the Visa Bulletin.
• My petitioner spouse is abusing me. What can I do? A person abused by a U.S. citizen or green card holder spouse, parent, or child may apply independently using Form I-360 (VAWA). Consult an immigration attorney in this situation.
• Does the 2026 immigrant visa pause affect Turkey? Turkey was not on the list of 75 countries included in the pause that began in January 2026. The pause was lifted by court order on August 21, 2026.

• Form I-130 (PDF)
• Form I-130 instructions (PDF)
• Form I-130A, spouse supplemental information form (PDF)
• Form I-864, financial sponsorship (PDF)
• Form I-864 instructions (PDF)
• Form I-864A, household member contract (PDF)
• Form I-864EZ, short financial sponsorship form (PDF)
• Reminder of obligations for sponsors (PDF)
• USCIS fee schedule G-1055 (PDF)
• I-864P poverty guidelines
• I-130 mailing addresses
• CEAC – NVC document upload and payment
• NVC inquiry form
• U.S. Department of State – Turkey document list
• e-Devlet